Sunday, December 7, 2008

I know it's been a loooong while since I've posted. The Spence household has been very busy. Between the holidays and school, I haven't had much time to update. Our camera broke a few weeks ago, so I didn't even have any photos to update. We finally got a new camera, so hopefully I'll be updating again soon, I just need to figure out how to download pics from my new camera. We hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, we definately did. I have one more paper to write and then I'll have more time to do things like this. See you all in a few days (I hope)!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

We witnessed history tonight, as a family. We are so thankful that our son will be raised in a country where everyone is capable of being president. Jack will never know a time where it wasn't possible for a black man to be president (we'll work on getting a qualified woman there next). We are so happy tonight. We both know that there is a lot of work to be done now, however, are confident that the right man is on the job.

Finally, the day has arrived! November 4, 2008, election day. Luke and I have already voted, Jack and I waited in line for over 3 hours on Saturday to cast our vote for Obama/ Biden, Jill Long-Thompson for governor, Nels Ackerson for House. I'm so excited for voting in my second election, the first time didn't go my way, so I'm hoping that this one does. If it doesn't, I fear the path that our country will continue on.

I am by no means a one issue voter; however, I am a one party voter. Many people criticize me for this, but I have my reasons. Unfortunately, in our current political scene, parties get things done, people don't. I cannot in good judgment vote for a person whom I like as a person; however have fundamental differences in beliefs and values. Many characterize my beliefs as radical, which I openly, happily accept and recognize. I may be radical, but I fundamentally care about people more than money and think that the well being of millions outweighs the importance of rich people getting richer. I vote based on my values, beliefs and ethics. I vote based on the world that I want my son to grow up in. I vote based on the beliefs, values and ethics that Luke and I are raising Jack to embrace.

I have been reading a lot about abortion lately, I know that this is a hot button issue for many, heck, and many people vote on this one issue alone. I am solidly pro-choice; however I do not think that being pro-choice and being pro-life are mutually exclusive. As a college student, I volunteered at a high risk pregnancy center, working with many women who were young, many who where impoverished, women who were choosing to have their child, regardless of the horrible life situation that they were living in. When I graduated I worked as an in home social worker, helping women who had their children taken away from them, children who were living in foster homes, children who nobody wanted to adopt because they were older. When we moved to Indiana, I chose to work at Healthy Families, working with women to help them provide a better life for their children and themselves. I lovingly accepted these women for who they were and advocated on behalf of them. Where are all of the "pro-lifers" or as I call them, "anti-choicers" then? Oh, I forgot, for many "pro-life/anti-choice" people, all caring about life ends once a child is born. Is it a coincidence that many people who are pro-life/anti-choice are also anti welfare, anti fair wage, anti contraception? God forbid we give these people food for their children, clothes or a warm house. We certainly cannot teach teens about the dangers of SEX, about birth control, because, as well all know, they shouldn’t be having sex to begin with. Once they do choose to have sex and they do get pregnant, we shouldn’t really have to provide them with good medical care, as long as they can go to the free clinic, they’ll be fine. No matter what, don’t provide them with food, shelter or clothing, you know, because they shouldn’t have gotten pregnant to begin with. $5.50 is all that businesses can afford to pay workers, if they have to pay them more, the companies would go out of business, workers should be thankful for the employment.

Many "Christians" use the pro-life/anti-choice argument as a faith based concern. These are the same Christians who conveniently forget about the importance of following other teachings, such as the importance of anointing the sick, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry. These are all values that I think God truly cares about. Isaiah 58:6-7, "Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor."

While I know some pro-life/anti-choice people who definitely live their faith, help people and advocate for them, unfortunately, they are not in the majority.

Until I know pro-lifer/anti-choice people who actually live their belief of being able to live from conception to natural death, I will not accept their argument. Until I know pro-life/anti-choice people who take steps to foster or adopt unwanted children, I cannot accept their position. Until I know pro-life/anti-choice people who advocate for the poor and disenfranchised, accept the necessity of welfare and work towards a nation that is not divisive, racist or selfish, I cannot and will not accept their position.

Yes, I am pro-choice, but I advocate for life on all levels, from birth to natural death.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Which Pumpkin is which? Pumpkin carving! Nicole's Wedding! Cutest lil' "Jack" o'lantern Rocking the vote on Saturday with mommy!I haven't posted in nearly a month, SORRY about that everyone, we've been really busy at the Spence household. The month of October was great. I finished up my first graduate class (acutlly, I still have to write a paper about maternal and child health, if anyone has any good info, let me know). Mommy and Me continues to go wonderfully and Jack and I love our stoller exercise class. We're both making many new friends, which I love. We visited a couple pumpkin patches and got some pumpkins. I downloades about 150 photos a couple weeks ago and unfortunately, they didn't register on my computer and I didn't realize it until I had already deleted them, so most of our October pictures are gone. Luke was on reserve the month of October and ended up working about 7 days, so he was home a lot. Jack and I both enjoyed having him home. The end of October, we headed back to Iowa. Luke and I dropped Jack off at my mom's house and then Luke and I headed to Kansas City for 4 days to help my best friend, Nicole, get married. I was her maid of honor and had a great time. The wedding prep was fun, the wedding was beautiful, being away from jack was hard. It was the first time that I had been away from him for any considerable length of time, he had fun with his grammy, grandpa and aunts, but mommy missed him. They joined us in KC on Sat for the wedding and we flew home Sunday.

We had a playdate with my new friend Kate and her son Roman, who is 10 days older than Jack. I am so glad to be making some new friends who live close to me. Jack was a "Jack" o'lantern for halloween. The cutest Jack o'lantern if you ask me. He dressed up in his costume for mommy and me, story time and halloween night. We went trick or treating at our friends Dustin and Nicole's apartment and hung out with them for a little while. Luke left Saturday and Jack and I met up with Beth for pizza and then went to a halloween party hosted by my girlfriends Lana, Tanya and Jen. The party was fun and everyone was cute. I went as a pilot....origional, right? Luke got home Sunday and we had a nice day. My new class gives me a lot of homework, I so I feel like I am reading a lot and writing papers a lot, but I like it overall.

Today the weather was wonderful, we played outside and had a great time. We got down our Christmas lights to start our plan for our display this year. Luke is really into decorating our house for Christmas, so we're getting ready!!!

We head back to Iowa Thursday for my friend Jessica's wedding, we're excited about seeing everyone again. It will be a short trip, but fun!

Luke and Jack both have coughs and colds, hopefully they clear up soon.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Today Luke, Jack and I trekked out in the rain to the Indiana State Fair grounds for a Barack Obama rally. It was SO GREAT!! We had the best time. I have such hope and faith in our country and in Barack Obama. It was amazing sitting there with my husband (who has already voted) my child and a very diverse group of people, listening to the man whom Luke and I (Jack too) hope to be our future president.

So much of this election is not about me and my generation or generations older that me, it is not about my politics or plans, now, it is all about Jack. I want Jack to be raised in a country that possesses a set of ethics and values that are important. Values that were taught to me by my parents and grandparents, taught to Luke by his parents and grandparents and hopefully, taught to Jack by his parents and grandparents. I want Jack to grow up in a world that values the lives of all people. A culture where money is not the driving force to all things. A world where there are polar bears and a nation that does not owe China $10,000,000,000,000 (trillion) dollars. I want Jack to grow up in a nation where his little sisters (God willing!!) will be treated equally to him. Where people are not denied basic rights, like marrying those who they love, health care or a living wage.

No, I do not believe that Barack Obama is capable of changing all of these things, however, I do believe, that by voting with my, and Luke with his, values and ethics, we will be voting for the person that best reflects what we want in a nation.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

What if John McCain were a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain were still married to the first woman he said "I do" to?

What if Obama were the candidate who left his first wife after she no longer measured up to his looks standards because she had a horrible auto accident?

What if Michelle Obama were a wife who not only became addicted to pain killers, but acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama were a member of the Keating-5?

What if McCain were a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are? This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

You are The Boss... which team would you hire? With America facing historic debt, 2 wars, stumbling health care, a weakened dollar, all-time high prison population, mortgage crises, bank foreclosures, etc.

Educational Background: This is truly startling

Obama: Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations. Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude &Biden: University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science. Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)vs.McCain:United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899& Palin: Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester North Idaho College - 2 semesters – general study University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalismMatanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester

Sunday, October 5, 2008

A little spill Mom resued me! The difference a year makes! Look how tall I am! Climbing Everest Just walking! Ready to go down the slide with mom and dad mommy and me in th slide Petting the Donkey...HEY HE BIT ME!!! I love this picture!mama and me (above, NOT BELOW! SMART ALECKS!!)We went to the pumpkin patch on Wednesday. We had a great time! Appleworks is such a nice place. My friend Lana got married there last year and we've been a few times since her wedding. We bought some apples, I am going to TRY to make some homemade applesauce, if anyone has any good advice, let me know! We we to the petting zoo and Jack got to pet a goat, chicken, llama, horse and donkey. Unfortunately, the donkey bit Jack, but he survived it, poor guy. He redeemed himself though and pet the donkey one last time. We didn't pick out any pumpkins, we'll go down again next week and find the perfect pumpkin, but we did see some good ones there though.

When we got home Wednesday afternoon, I wasn't feeling very well. I ended up getting the flu Wednesday/Thursday. I unfortunately had to go to class on Thursday to give a presentation, which went well, but I was not feeling good the entire time. I got home Thursday night to find out that Luke also got sick. I was feeling well enough to take care of Jack and Luke. Luke felt better on Friday and went to work and then, sure enough, as I was getting ready for bed Friday night, I heard Jack get sick. So, I was up with a sick baby all Friday night. Have you ever seen a 1 year old throw up chicken and noodles? It is not pleasant. Jack slept with me Friday night and threw up several times, but seemed to feel better by Saturday afternoon. Our entire house is healthy, hopefully this was the only bout of the flu we will get this year!

The weekend was fairly low key and we're ready for a busy week BACK TO NORMAL!

Remember, comment!! I need to know if anyone is reading this thing.

Also, my Uncle Matt is on his way to Afghanistan, so please say an extra prayer for him, my Aunt Jen and cousins Madison, Mallory, McKenzy and Jaxon! We love you Matt, be safe and see you in a few months!

About Me

I am married to the most amazing man, Luke, he blesses me everyday with his love, support and friendship. I am a stay at home mommy for my beautiful and wonderful son Jack, born in August 2007. I was recently accepted to Indiana University to the Masters of Social Work program that starts this fall. I am excited for my journey to see where I end up. I love my wonderful husband and am incredibly blessed.